Thus, there very well could be wholesale changes after the season. Both men were given a reprieve last year. That likely won’t happen this year, barring a major turnaround.

Mortensen reported a likely replacement for Smith would be San Diego director of player personnel Jimmy Raye. Then, Mortensen reported, college scouting director John Spanos likely would become the director of player personnel.

These moves all sound plausible as it appears major change is on the horizon in San Diego.

In other AFC West news:

ESPN’s Ed Werder reported that Kasandra M. Perkins was a cousin of the wife of Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles and she was introduced to Jovan Belcher through her cousin. Belcher shot and killed Perkins and then killed himself Saturday morning.

The Oakland Tribune reported Oakland owner Mark Davis told coach Dennis Allen the current state of the 3-8 “is not good enough” on the team flight home from Cincinnati last week. It is another sign of Davis losing patience. Last month, Davis expressed frustrations to reporters after a loss. If the losing continues in Oakland, we just might see some changes in Oakland again.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the NFLPA and the Chiefs are talking about starting a fund for the 3-month-old child of Perkins and Belcher.

Schefter is reporting that Oakland starting running back Darren McFadden is not likely to play Sunday against Cleveland. McFadden has been out the past three games with an ankle sprain. He started to practice last week and he should be ready to play next week if he doesn’t play Sunday.

Donald Stephenson is expected to start the second straight game at left tackle for the Chiefs in place of Branden Albert, who has a back injury.